BREAKTHROUGH: Antibody that blocks infection of Coronavirus discovered by scientists

The SUN ^ | 05/04/2020 | Lucy Jones, Digital Health & Fitness Reporter

[SeekAndFind]

AN antibody which prevents coronavirus from infecting human cells has been discovered by scientists.

Researchers from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, as well as the Erasmus Medical Centre and the company Harbour BioMed (HBM), identified it as a potential method of neutralising Covid-19.

And while the team's discovery was made on human cells grown in the laboratory - they are hopeful it will have the same effect on patients.

The breakthrough offers hope of a treatment or even a vaccine for the deadly virus, which has infected more than 3.5 million people worldwide, and led to more than 248,000 deaths.

Study co-lead author Professor Berend-Jan Bosch said the new antibody targets the deadly bug's infamous 'spike protein.'

The virus hooks onto a locking point on human cells to insert its genetic material, make multiples copies of itself and spread throughout the body.

Prof Bosch, Research leader at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, said: "Such a neutralising antibody has potential to alter the course of infection in the infected host, support virus clearance or protect an uninfected individual that is exposed to the virus."

It could lead to a therapy that would be given to somebody immediately after they become infected or exposed.

The antibody binds to an enzyme called ACE2 that acts as the viruses 'doorway' to cells.

Covid-19 is an infectious disease triggered by a strain known as Sars-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus).

VIRUS NEUTRALISED

It is spread through small respiratory droplets from sneezing or coughing - leading to fever, cough and difficulty breathing.

In tests the monoclonal antibody neutralised Sars-CoV-2 - however, further studies are planned to see if the findings translate to the clinic.

Prof Bosch and his colleagues identified it from 51 cell lines from mice that had been engineered to carry human genes.

[shanover]

And if the President talks of this breakthrough,the left will shut it down.

[outofsalt]

"As a teenager, I climbed the tower of the cathedral in Utrecht."

Hopefully, the stairs on the inside? I mean, they do have amazing weed, but...

[Starboard]

Trump built a strong economy. They need more time to destroy it.

[libh8er]

The article clearly says

The antibody binds to an enzyme called ACE2 that acts as the viruses 'doorway' to cells.

How could I have missed that ? The timestamp shows the article was updated a short while ago and if I remember correctly when I read it it said it binds to the spike proteins. Maybe I imagined it. Regardless, you are right that interfering with native processes can lead to unwanted things. Since ACE2 is involved in blood pressure regulation it can cause problems with that, especially in people with high BP. Much safer to bind to viral proteins.

[Pelham]

Thanks for the ping, I think it is the same.

[Pelham]

HCQ enables zinc to cross the cell wall. Having zinc inside the cell interferes with the virus’ ability to replicate.

An antibody will prevent the virus from getting into cells in the first place.

A vaccine should train your immune system to produce this antibody and give you protection from all coronaviruses that have the ACE2 spike.

[353FMG]

On the inside with the entire class.

No weed but plenty of Grolsch beer after the climb.

[Pelham]

The two aren’t similar.

[cuban leaf]

where are you getting the quinine?

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You only need a few ounces of Tonic water to get what you need. Its sole function is to open a wide door to the zinc already in your system to enter the cells and shut down the virus RNA’s ability to replicate. And adding a Zinc supplement increases the effectiveness.

Coffee, green tea, and a lot of foods have the same effect for opening the cells up to zinc.

[cuban leaf]

HCQ enables zinc to cross the cell wall. Having zinc inside the cell interferes with the virus’ ability to replicate.

---

Nailed the reason I take what I do. I suspect it works with all viruses. i.e. it may reduce the risk of coming down with serious symptoms from the flu as well.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

My daughter studied biology there for a semester about 10 years ago. We climbed the tower, too. Utrecht is a great place.

[epluribus_2]

expected to be widely available as early as Nov 5th, 2020.

[faucetman]

I thought I was gonna die, but that new treatment saved me. I have this craving for cheese! I don’t even like cheese!

[rfp1234]

[Pelham]

That’s probably true. Dietary zinc is sometimes recommended to combat viruses, but zinc in the bloodstream can’t cross the cell membrane without help. HCQ is thought to do that; a “zinc ionophore”.

Someone mentioned quercetin as well. I just now ran across a study that suggests that it could:

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jf5014633

[Pelham]

I just found a study that could back up the idea that quercetin can act like HCQ does- as a “zinc ionophore”.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jf5014633

[MortMan]

This type of discovery could neutralize whole families of viruses, so the long term value is very worthwhile. The original SARS and MERS virii were also corona virii, IIRC.

[ImNotLying]

bump for later

[Bob434]

thanks- didnt realize tea and stuff woudl do that too=- will look into that for sure-

[Bob434]

thank you for that link-